Le Pen, who
unsuccessfully ran for the French presidency five times, is a
controversial figure in French politics due to his hardline
conservative agenda and sometimes scandalous
statements. The
latest controversy he sparked was in the wake of the Charlie
Hebdo massacre, when Le Pen claimed the attack was staged by the
secret services. He resigned his position as National Front
leader in 2011, citing a “demonization campaign” against him. His
daughter Marine Le Pen currently heads the party.